Best Towns & Activities (Tested)
When Scotland calls, all you can do is answer! So buckle up and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! So, let’s dive into this Scotland Itinerary.
I’ve visited Scotland a few times, and got to know the country so well that I wanted to make this 10 day Scotland itinerary to help you plan the perfect holiday! I’ve included countless tips and information on which routes to take, which towns and islands to visit, attractions, hotels and transportation.
On my holiday I only used trains and buses to get around and I made this itinerary according to that, but you can totally do it with a car (you might even fit in more places that can’t be reached by bus or train). I’ve also included the costs for each day, but these will vary a lot, however, I calculated from the experience of a mid-range traveler.
I highly recommend booking your hotels in advance! Scotland is so popular and the good accommodations always go first!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Check out the main things to take into consideration before diving into this itinerary for 10 days in Scotland:
Days: 10
Cost: from US$900 if traveling on a tight budget & around US$1400 for mid-range travelers, and for luxury the prices can go as high as possible
Transportation: Car, train & bus
Airport Towns: Edinburgh, Glasgow & Aberdeen
Best luxury hotel: The Balmoral Hotel
Best value for money: CoDE Pod
Best affordable accommodation: High Street Hostel
Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the places that I’ll mention in this Scotland itinerary for 10 days:
Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh & visit some attractions
- Why visit: Amazing architecture & history
- Key activity: Royal Mile
- Estimated daily budget: $80
- Where to stay: The Balmoral Hotel ($$$), CoDE Pod ($$), High Street Hostel ($)
Touching down in Edinburgh is a great idea, as it takes around 30 min to get to the city center by bus or car. You can take the Airport Express bus (the ticket costs around US$6), which will leave you right on Princess Street in the New Town.
If you are renting a car then definitely get a hotel that offers parking (preferably free parking if you can find one). There are some parking spaces in the city too, but they may be super crowded, still, you can try on Blackfriars St (map).
PRO TIP: When I visited Edinburgh I really wanted to take the train from London so that I could admire the gorgeous scenery. So if you have time to spare, you could take the train, but the journey takes around 5 to 6 hours. The journey is super nice, but make sure you leave early, especially if you’re traveling during winter time, so that you can actually see everything in the daylight.
If you’re landing directly in Edinburgh then definitely try to get an early flight and if your check-in is late, then talk to someone at the accommodation before you arrive to see if you can leave your bags with them. If not, you can stop at a cafe to grab lunch and then head to your hotel.
Once you’ve left your bags and had something to eat, you can start exploring the city! I’d recommend heading straight to the Old Town, where you’ll spend most of your time!
If you don’t have a lot of time left of the day, then you can just go on a stroll on the Royal Mile. Known as one of the most important avenues in the capital, it’s packed with souvenir shops, cafes, whiskey and fudge stores and some attractions too.
If it’s open, you can go inside the St. Giles’ Cathedral (map), or even just admire it from outside. Then you can make your way up to Victoria Street (map), which apparently was JK Rowling’s inspiration from Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books!
You’ll catch the resemblance immediately and probably want to check out all the stores on the street! There’s this really cool one called Museum of Context (map) which sells officially licensed Harry Potter things! I loved this place!
Right here on Victoria Street, you’ll also find the Elephant House Cafe (map) the place where JK Rowling wrote some of the first Harry Potter books! If you’re a Harry Potter fan, check out our post on the best Harry Potter tours in Scotland.
Depending on how much time you have left on that day, you can also head to New Town to see the Scott Monument (map). This was made in honor of the famous Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott, so that you can climb up, or head straight for dinner!
There’s a really cool restaurant which is also a hotel called The Witchery by the Castle (map), which looks incredible. It’s a bit pricey but definitely worth every penny!
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Since you’ll be staying 2 nights in Edinburgh I thought I’d also add a short list of hotels!
Here are the main ones:
But, we’ve got a whole post on where to stay in Edinburgh with a wide range of options and all the main areas, if you want to check out more options.
Day 2: Visit the main attractions in Edinburgh
- Key activity: Edinburgh Castle
- Estimated daily budget: $100
Now that you’ve had a good night’s sleep, I’m sure you’re ready to visit more attractions in Scotland’s capital city!
I’ve started most of my mornings in Edinburgh with a cup of coffee at The Milkman (map), a super cozy cafe that serves delicious pastries! From there you can make your way to Edinburgh Castle, one of the biggest attractions in the city!
By the way, we have a whole post on things to do in Edinburgh, which I definitely recommend reading. I added a whole list of places there that you can check out if you have more time!
After you visit the Castle, head to the National Galleries of Scotland if you want to admire some art. If not then you can walk the whole of the Royal Mile until you reach its other end where you’ll find 3 of Edinburgh’s main attractions!
These are Calton Hill (map) where you can admire the city views, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish residence of the royal family and Arthur’s Seat (map), which forms the largest part of the big extinct volcano that once stood in Edinburgh (with the other parts being Castle Rock and Calton Hill).
These 3 will probably take around half a day, maybe more if you want to climb up to Arthur’s Seat! The hike isn’t too hard but you’ll definitely need comfortable shoes. It takes around 40 min to 1h, depending on how fast you’re going to climb up, starting from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, so you can combine the 2. I suggest you pick your top 2 and if there’s time, do the third.
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Day 3: Go from Edinburgh to Inverness and set base there
- Distance & travel time: 156 miles (250 km) 3,2h by car and 4h by train
- Why visit: dive into the culture
- Key activity: Inverness
- Estimated daily budget: US$100
- Where to stay: Heathmount Hotel ($$$), The Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel ($$), Inverness Student Hotel ($)
Ready to hop on a train or car (or even bus) and head up North to the capital of the Scottish Highlands? Then let’s go!
PRO TIP: I recommend buying your train/bus tickets, in advance! Otherwise, you may have to pay much more, and with buses, you risk not finding a spot.
Again I recommend leaving super early in the morning so you can save time for visiting attractions in the city and exploring!
Once you arrive, you can check in at your accommodation and then head out to explore the city! If the check-in is in the afternoon and you arrive earlier, you can ask the accommodation staff if you can leave your bags there, so you can head out. Otherwise, you can use a luggage storage unit like Bounce storage (map) and leave your bags there for a few hours.
Inverness is a small town, but so rich in history and culture! As the capital of the Scottish Highlands, it offers easy access to some amazing spots!
As for the city itself, there are some cool places that you should check out like Inverness Castle (map), The Victorian Market (map) and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
If you arrive early and have more time, you can also venture out to visit the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (map), which is super pretty!
You’ll probably be famished by the time you arrive in Inverness, so if you want to grab a bite before heading to all those attractions, you can head to Fig & Thistle (map), a fab restaurant in the center that serves yummy food.
Where to stay in Inverness
Looking for a place to stay in Inverness? If so, I’d recommend the hotels in the City Center, that way you’ll be close to the train station (map) and all the attractions. We have a whole post on the best places to stay in Inverness, where you’ll find all the main areas too.
But here are the main ones, all set in the City Center:
Day 4: Explore Inverness & take a boat trip on Loch Ness
- Distance & travel time: –
- Why visit: to see the Highlands|
- Key activity: Boat cruise on Loch Ness
- Estimated daily budget: US$100
You can’t leave Scotland without going on a boat trip on the famous Loch Ness, who knows, maybe you’ll even get to see what lurks under those waters!
For your second day in Inverness, I found this amazing tour that includes a boat trip on Loch Ness and a visit to the famous Urquhart Castle. The tour costs US$62 and lasts around 4h, so you’ll still get to explore Inverness, in case you didn’t get to see much on your first day.
I loved exploring Urquhart Castle (map), although it’s mostly just the ruins of it, the views are incredible and there’s also a cool gift shop near it.
If you have a car (or rent one), you can visit the Castle on your own, as well as arrange for a boat trip. Here’s a tour I found that doesn’t include transportation from Inverness, but only the boat cruise which costs US$28.
Since you’ll probably have time left, you can visit any of the attractions that I mentioned in Day 3 that you didn’t get to check out, and if you’ve already seen those, then hit the souvenir shops in Inverness and just enjoy the city vibe! Leakey’s Bookstore (map) is a great place to start your souvenir hunt, the bookstore has lots of hidden gems.
TOUR PRICE: US$62
Book the Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle
Day 5: Take the bus to Isle of Skye and set base there
- Distance & travel time: 106 miles (170 km) 2,4h by car and 3h by bus
- Why visit: Stunning scenery
- Key activity: Old Man of Storr
- Estimated daily budget: US$50
- Where to stay: Cuillin Hills Hotel ($$$), Bosville Hotel ($$), Rockview ($)
Alright, now that you’ve reached the Northern part of Scotland, it’s time for an even more incredible adventure, to the bonnie Isle of Skye!
In order to reach Skye, you can drive up there, it takes around 2,4h to get to Skye by car or you can take the bus from Inverness, which will get there in 3h or so.
That’s what I did when I visited Skye. The bus journey there was so beautiful so keep your eyes on the windows and admire the views! I got my tickets from Citylink. A single ticket from Inverness to Skye costs US$44 and includes a large luggage.
The bus will leave you in Portree Square, in Skye, where I also recommend setting base, if you don’t have a car. I stayed in Portree, when I visited the island and it had everything I needed, from great hotels, restaurants, attractions and bus connections to explore Skye.
Again, try to leave Inverness with the earliest bus! I know Citylink has buses that leave even around 7AM so, I’d recommend getting on that so you have time to explore the island.
Once you get to Portree, you can check in or if that’s later you can head to a cafe to grab a bite and wait. There’s no better coffee shop in this town than Birch (map)! I loved going to this place as their coffee is delicious and they also serve lots of pastries and some breakfast/lunch dishes.
After dropping your bags you can head out to explore the town! It’s a pretty small place, so there isn’t much to do but trust me, you’ll fall in love with the atmosphere, the people and the cozy village vibe.
If you still have 2 to 3h before the sun goes down, you can make the most of your first day in Portree and go for a walk on the Scorrybreac Trail (map)! It took me 2 to 3h to do this trail, and that’s also with photo stops, but if you don’t have that time, you can always head back.
The views are incredible so it’s definitely worth it!
You’ll probably be famished by dinner time so a good, hot meal would be the perfect way to end the day! One of the best restaurants in town, where the food is super yummy is Rosedale Restaurant (map) which is also a hotel. Make sure you try the Isle of Skye beer and Scottish cheese while here, they’re delicious!
I’ve written a whole post with things to do in Isle of Skye, so if you have more than 10 days or if you want to spend more time here, definitely check it out!
Where to stay in Isle of Skye
All the hotels that I’ll add in this section are set in Portree. Since this is the main town and the perfect place for those without a car, I definitely recommend staying here.
However, if you are renting a car and you want to venture out, and stay in one of the other towns. You can check out our post on where to stay in Isle of Skye, which has a short list of the best towns.
Day 6: Explore Isle of Skye
- Distance & travel time: –
- Why visit: Unique landscapes
- Key activity: Fairy Pools
- Estimated daily budget: US$100 to US$150
This day depends a lot on whether you have a car or not!
If you’ve rented a car, then you can hit the main points and attractions like the Fairy Pools (map), Fairy Glen (map), the Old Man of Storr (map), Kilt Rock (map) and Dunvegan Castle (map).
If you don’t spend too long in each place, then you can definitely fit all those in just a day. Out of all of them the Fairy Pools, Fairy Glen and Old Man of Storr require more time, as with those, there’s more walking and hiking involved.
PRO TIP: You will definitely need waterproof clothes and even hiking shoes, or sneakers while in Skye! Most of the activities here include some sort of hiking, and the weather here is super unpredictable so be prepared!
For those who don’t want to rent a car but still see most of the island then I recommend joining this full-day tour from Portree that I took while on the Isle of Skye and really enjoyed!
The tour costs US$107 and it lasts 9h! During the tour, you’ll visit the Fairy Pools, Talisker Distillery, Dunvegan Castle, Neist Point Lighthouse, the Fairy Glen, Quiraing and Old Man of Storr!
I loved this tour as I got to see most of the island, even if it was pouring, it was incredible!
TOUR PRICE: US$107
Day 7: Leave Skye for Glasgow
Distance & travel time: 207 miles (333 km) 5h by car and 7h by bus
Why visit: Victorian architecture
Key activity: Glasgow Cathedral
Estimated daily budget: US$100
Where to stay: Kimpton – Blythswood Square Hotel ($$$), ibis Styles ($$), Point A Hotel Glasgow ($)
Alright, ready to hit the road again?
Now we’re making our way back down, from the Northern part of the country to the South, and we’re going to Glasgow, the largest town in Scotland, known primarily for its Victorian architecture, museums and parks.
It takes around 5h to get from Isle of Skye, to Glasgow by car. If you’re not renting a car then you can take the Citylink bus from Portree to Glasgow. The drive is absolutely incredible, I loved every minute of it, and even if it’s 7h long, trust me, it’s worth every minute! The views and places that you’ll see are gorgeous! A single ticket costs US$71.
Again, get the earliest bus, so you can arrive around 4 PM in Glasgow and have some time to visit after your check-in.
Since most of the attractions close around 5 PM and 6 PM, I’d recommend taking this day to explore the streets of Glasgow and maybe do a bit of shopping! You can start in the City Center since many attractions and shops are set there.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can head to one of the many restaurants in the city! While I was visiting Glasgow, I found this amazing vegan place, called Soul Food Kitchen (map) and I had one of the best meals ever, so nourishing and delicious.
Where to stay in Glasgow
Looking for a place in Glasgow? If so then I’d recommend getting something in the City Center, so that you can easily get to the attractions!
The short list below has hotels in the center but if you’d prefer something else, then check out our post with the best areas to stay in Glasgow, you’ll find many more hotels and areas there.
Day 8: Explore Glasgow
- Distance & travel time: –
- Why visit: culture and history
- Key activity: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Estimated daily budget: US$100
Alright, hope you’ve had a good night’s sleep because you’ll have plenty of things to do today! If you need something to get you started, hop to one of the many chic cafes in Glasgow, like the Perch & Rest Coffee (map) to grab a drink and a pastry!
Since Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, you can know for sure that there are a bunch of attractions that you need to check out!
You can start with Glasgow Cathedral (map) which honestly looks incredible, then make your way to George Square (map) which is like the focal point of the City Center and also visit the Gallery of Modern Art.
If you’re an arts and culture lover, then Glasgow will definitely become one of your favorite places.
There are lots of museums and galleries besides that one like the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Riverside Museum and Pollok Country Park which is around a 30 min train ride away from Glasgow Central (map), but definitely worth visiting to see the Burrell Collection, which is one of the greatest art collections ever owned by one person!
If you’re not a huge fan of museums there are also some other places that you can check out like the Glasgow Botanic Gardens (map) and the fun Barras Market (map) where you can find plenty of souvenirs. You can also try some delicious Scottish beer at one of the local breweries, Drygate Brewing (map) is a great one
Day 9: Day trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
- Distance & travel time: 27 miles (44 km) & 40 min by car and 1h by train
- Why visit: beautiful scenery
- Key activity: Loch Lomond
- Estimated daily budget: US$50
I say, let’s finish this holiday in Scotland with a bang and visit the gorgeous Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond which are only 1h train ride away from Glasgow and 40 min away by car.
Trossachs National Park is actually the country’s first National Park and although you can spend days exploring, hiking and going on cruises, you can still see some of it in a few hours.
The train will leave you at Balloch station (map) and from there you only need to walk around 20 min to get to the park entrance (map). You don’t have to pay an entry fee, so you can just go in.
For those coming with a car, there are a couple of parking spaces, like this place (map) which is also free and set around the train station in Balloch.
As you go in, you’ll get straight into the hiking area (map) and just make your way up from there! Since you’ll only have a few hours, I’d recommend staying close to the entrance, and not venturing too much, so that you don’t catch nightfall in the park.
The scenery is stunning around the whole park, so no matter how far you go, you’ll definitely stumble across some gorgeous landscapes, lush glens and mossy trees!
I’d recommend checking the national park’s official website, to get an idea of what to expect while there.
Day 10: Leave Scotland from Glasgow airport
Woohoo! You’ve made it!
Since Glasgow Airport is pretty close to the city, just a 15 min drive by car and 30 min on the 500 Airport Express bus (a single ticket costs US$13), you may still have some time for a cup of coffee and final stroll on the streets. That’s if your flight isn’t super early!
If it’s late in the evening, and you want to visit some of the attractions that I mentioned on Day 8, then talk to the staff at the accommodation to see if they can hold your bags, for a few hours, while you explore. Otherwise, you can find a luggage storage facility like Bounce luggage storage (map).
| 📅 How many days: | 10 |
| 🤩 Best attraction: | Edinburgh |
| 🏨 Best hotel: | The Balmoral Hotel |
| 🌞 When to visit: | May and September |
Other Scotland itinerary ideas
As you’ve noticed this Scotland vacation itinerary is only for 10 days, however I’m sure that some of you might want to spend less than that or more.
That’s why I wanted to give you a couple more options of the main places that you should visit if you don’t have much time or what other places you could add if you have plenty of time:
Scotland Travel Itinerary for 5 Days
- Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
- Day 2: Explore Edinburgh
- Day 3: Go to Inverness & explore
- Day 4: Leave Inverness and head to Glasgow
- Day 5: Leave Glasgow for home
Scotland Itinerary for 7 days
- Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
- Day 2: Explore Edinburgh
- Day 3: Go to Inverness
- Day 4: Stay in Inverness & take a full-day tour to Isle of Skye
- Day 5: Leave Inverness for Glasgow
- Day 6: Explore Glasgow or take a day trip to Trossachs National Park
- Day 7: Leave for home
Scotland Itinerary for 14 Days
- Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
- Day 2: Explore Edinburgh
- Day 3: Day trip to St. Andrews
- Day 4: Leave Edinburgh for Inverness
- Day 5: Explore Inverness
- Day 6: Day trip from Inverness to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle
- Day 7: Leave Inverness for Isle of Skye
- Day 8: Explore Isle of Skye
- Day 9: More time in Isle of Skye
- Day 10: Leave Skye for Glasgow
- Day 11: Explore Glasgow
- Day 12: Day trip to Trossachs National Park from Glasgow
- Day 13: Day trip to Stirling
- Day 14: Leave Glasgow for home
Practical tips for your Scotland trip
As I’ve visited Scotland a few times now, I’ve learned a lot of things that undoubtedly will help your trip run smoothly and also avoid any inconveniences!
So here are some practical tips for your Scotland trip itinerary:
- Pack layers and waterproof clothes no matter the season that you’re visiting Scotland
- Public transportation is super reliable, and you can get to most places by bus or train, except the more remote ones, which will need a car
- Scotland’s weather is super unpredictable so always have something to guard you from rain and clothes that you can take off if it’s too hot
- If you’re traveling during summer, find some ways to protect yourself against the midges, which are some insects that can bite you (there are clothes and other things to help you guard against them)
- Wear hiking shows if you want to explore the Highlands
FAQs about Scotland itinerary 10 days
⌛ Is 10 days too long in Scotland?
No, 10 days is just the right amount of time to visit the main places in Scotland.
📅 How many days is enough for Scotland?
I would say between 10 days to 14 days, that way you won’t be in a rush and you’ll be able to see lots of incredible towns and islands.
🌡️ What is the best month to go to Scotland?
The months to visit Scotland are late March to May and September to November.
🤔 Can you see Scotland in 7 days?
Yes, you can see the main towns in Scotland in 7 days, and even take a day trip.
Final thoughts on Scotland itinerary 10 days
Well, I hope you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
This Scotland itinerary for 10 days has everything you need to know, from costs, time spent on the road and all that. But if I’ve left any questions unanswered, drop me a comment below and I’ll make sure to answer!
Since Scotland is such a popular destination, I’d recommend booking your hotels in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the high season (June, July, August) when the prices are higher.
Enjoy your Scottish shenanigans!
Safe Travels,
Victoria
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